It's the ‘calm before the Group and Listed storm’ at Alexandra Park on Friday, but some of the big guns will show their faces at 'Northern Headquarters on Friday night.
There will be 11 Group races and one Listed event at the December 9, 16 and 31 meetings.
Star Galleria, one of the North island's best 3-year-olds, will have a busy December at Alexandra Park with the Group Two $50,000 Alabar 3YO Classic on December 16, and the Listed $175,000 PGG Wrightson Yearling Sales 3YO Open on New Year's Eve his main targets.
The above average son of Art Major will start from gate five (of seven) in Friday night’s $13,500 Teng Tools Mobile for the R69 to R82 rated pacers. Star Galleria is currently ranked R75.
Co-trainer, Simon McMullan wants Star Galleria to return to the form he had before finishing sixth in the $160,000 Sires Stakes Final at Addington Raceway on November 8.
“We couldn’t be happier with him now. He has travelled back well and thrived since. We spoke to Tony (Herlihy MNZM) after that race and he was a bit disappointed he didn’t kick on and finish in the top four.
“He just didn’t stick on like we thought he could. Sure it was a quality field but we were hoping for better,” said McMullan who co-trains Star Galleria with Steven Reid at Pukekohe.
Star Galleria set a very solid clip out in front in the 1950m mobile Group One feature on Cup Day and was then mauled by the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen duo of Ultimate Machete and favourite More The Better.
Star Galleria finished just over 10 lengths from the winner and McMullan knew he was better than that.
“They went real quick (1:52.6 mile rate) and that day the good draw actually turned out to be a bad one for us because we did all the work in front on a New Zealand record pace,” McMullan said.
Star Galleria has won three of his five starts including once over Friday’s 2200m mobile. He won his previous Alexandra Park and Cambridge Raceway starts before heading to Christchurch.
‘We are confident he will go a good race. Even though he’s not quite 100 per cent fit he will be in the next few weeks with all of the rich racing that lies ahead of him at Alexandra Park.
“He goes into Friday’s race with a nice workout win behind him,” McMullan said.
Star Galleria beat Hug The Wind, Kenrick, Alta Las Vegas, Joanednobettor, Vasari and Franco Cristiano in last Saturday’s 2050m mobile Workout at Pukekohe.
Reid settled Star Galleria fourth along the markers before going to sit parked at the 900m before Hug The Wind went around and gave them cover at the 600m.
In the lane Star Galleria pounced out of the one-one to win going away by one-and-a-quarter lengths. He stopped the clock in 2:38.2 (mile rate 2:04.1) and home in 57.2 and 27.1.
McMullan was rapt with the acceleration the gelding displayed in the final 150m – a trait which stand him in good stead on Friday.
“That run was encouraging and if he can repeat that he will be tough to beat. In saying that the Dickie horses do concern me,” McMullan said.
By that he meant Bettor Think Quick and Motown who have drawn three and seven respectively.
“Bettor Think Quick went real good when finishing third after a spell last start and Motown has won six races and is nearing a $100,000 earner. He has also placed in a Group One race (Emerald 3yo Jewels)..
“They are the biggest dangers. Our other fella in the race – Mo Casino – could place if things went his way,” McMullan said.
Star Galleria will be driven by Zac Butcher on Friday. Regular pilot Herlihy is committed to his stable runner, Bonnie’s Khaleesi.
Meanwhile, December is the Auckland Trotting Club's busiest and biggest month. The big races on offer are:
December 9:
Group Three $30,000 Summer Cup
Group Three $30,000 Caduceus Club Northern Breeders Fillies & Mares Stakes
December 16:
Group Two $75,000 Peter Breckon Memorial Ladyship 3yo Fillies Stakes
Group Two $40,000 Lyell Creek Stakes for the open class trotters
Group One $100,000 Rosslands Queen of Hearts Fillies & Mares Pace
Group Two $50,000 Alabar 3yo Classic
Group Two $40,000 Franklin Cup
December 31:
Group One $150,00 Alabar Sires Stakes 3yo Fillies Final
Group One $80,000 National Trot
Listed $175,000 PGG Wrightson Yearling Sales 3yo Open
GROUP ONE $250,000 TRILLIAN TRUST AUCKLAND CUP.
Duane Ranger